RCAP 40 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, the Canadian Constitution, land claims, the Moravian Church, and Metis, Inuit and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
RCAP 42 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to education, land claims, self-governemnt, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and Metis, Inuit and women's issues. Each presentation can be viewed individually on this site.
RCAP 43 contains files from the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in Sheshatshiu, Labrador. This sitting of the Commission contains presentations relating to employment, land claims, self-governemnt, alcohol and drug abuse issues, and Metis, Inuit, Innu and women's issues. Each submission can be viewed individually on this site.
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - Transcriptions of Public Hearings and Round Table Discussions
Documents & Presentations
Author/Creator
Walter Clarke
Description
File contains comments by Walter Clarke regarding a future visit by the Commission to Gander, Newfoundland. Clarke will give his presentation at that time.
File contains an individual presentation by Beatrice Watts focusing primarily on education. She provides a brief history of the Inuit in Labrador and relocation efforts in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1977 the first Inuit education conference was held, which laid the groundwork for the teaching of Inuktitut and cultural programs in schools. Watts also briefly discusses the Inuit radio station at Main, Labrador and a 1978 conference sponsored by Inuit women held in Labrador. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains an individual presentation by Mrs. Millicent Loder, oldest elder in the community. She describes her childhood, the infrequent visits by doctors, her father's employment with the Hudson's Bay Company, nursing training in the United States, raising her children in Labrador, and her role as a valued elder in her community.
File contains opening remarks by Rene Dussault, Viola Robinson and Mary Sillett, who discuss the purpose and goals of the Commission. Dussault introduces Francis Penashue, Commissioner For the Day. Ben Michel is the facilitator.
File contains a presentation by Bernard Heard, speaking as an individual member of the Labrador Metis Association. It focuses on recognition and acceptance of the Labrador Metis people. He states that the Canadian Constitution recognizes Aboriginal people in Canada as the Indians, the Inuit and the Metis, but the federal and provincial governments operate as if the Metis in Labrador do not exist. He calls on the Commission to assist with more recognition with the federal government. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Bernice Sheehan expressing concern with status classifications of Aboriginal people: on reserve, off reserve, status, non-status and Metis. Metis as a group are not recognized by the Newfoundland provincial government, and as a result are denied services that recognized Metis receive in other provinces. Sheehan hopes the Commission will recommend provincial recognition to Newfoundland Metis to bring them in line with other groups. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commission members.
File contains a presentation by Jim Learning focusing on recognition and acceptance of the Labrador Metis people. His organization works for "equity of the treatment of our our people in Labrador through the land claims process." He states that the Canadian government must not longer continue to deny the rights of the Labrador Metis people. Following the presentation is a question-and-answer session with the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Kirk Lethbridge discussing his views of Aboriginal self-government and the "inevitability of self-determination." He feels he may not see it in his lifetime, but says his children will. Lethbridge calls on the Commission to ensure that "soon all Aboriginal people in Labrador, and in Canada, will be under the same flag."
File contains a presentation by seven students from the Henry Gordon Academy in Cartwright, Labrador. The presenters are as follows: Janice Clark, Sharon Bird, Fabian Green, Norman Frieda, Lee Pittman, Janet Paul, and Barbie Mesher. Commissioners Erasmus and Sillet discuss Metis identity in Labrador and educational issues with the students.
File contains a presentation by William Anderson III pertaining mainly to a submission made to the Commission regarding a Government of Newfoundland and Labrador discussion paper, dated November 1991, on an accelerated approach to Aboriginal land claims in Newfoundland and Labrador.
File contains a presentation by Yance Sheehan and Lisa Blandford, Aboriginal youths concerned with education (particularly the teaching of Metis history and culture) and the lack of recreational facilities for Aboriginal youth. They suggest that the Royal Commission plan a session only for Aboriginal youth to hear their ideas. Following the presentation are comments made by the Commissioners.
File contains a presentation by Woody Lethbridge of the Eagle River Development Association. Lethbridge discusses his concerns about the poor state of Metis-Innu relations in Labrador. Lethbridge discusses economic development concerns in the forestry industry with Commissioner Erasmus. Following this the Commissioners sum up the day's proceedings and adjourn the day's sitting.
File contains opening remarks by Silpa Edmunds(via a translator, in addition to a few in English) regarding the economic and cultural problems faced by her people in Labrador and her hopes that the Commission will address these issues. She reiterates some of Boas Jararace's concerns, and also adds the problems of alcoholism, family breakdown, and a loss of cultural identity amongst Inuit, First Nations and Metis people in Labrador. Edmunds is an Inuit woman from Hopedale, Labrador.